CHI3430 - Understanding modern China

Leader(s): Gloria Davies

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will introduce students to the Chinese language as it is used in academic writing within the Chinese humanities. It will cover a range of key topics in the disciplines of literature, politics, history and cultural studies, as these are discussed and written about in the Chinese language. It will also examine and compare Chinese and Western styles of academic writing, research methods and goals. Questions of translation, both linguistic and cultural, will be central to this subject.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be expected to have acquired:

1. A basic understanding of key features of modern Chinese intellectual history with reference to: East-West perspectives on Chinese Studies; May Fourth concepts of enlightenment, democracy, science and nationalism; the Cultural Revolution and the renewal of humanist values in post-Mao China.
2. Library and web-based research skills relevant to modern Chinese studies.
3. Translation skills (appropriate to the Chinese language ability of individual students) and an understanding of aspects of translation theory relevant to modern Chinese studies.
4. A good knowledge of the socio-political contexts of the evolution of modern Chinese thought in the twentieth century.
5. Skills of analysis and interpretation in the study of China through exposure to the textual sources used in this unit.

Assessment

Written work and translation:(3000 words): 67%
Seminar presentation: 17%
Literature review (750 words): 16%

Contact hours

3 (1 hour lecture; 2 hour seminar)

Prerequisites

Chinese 2 or equivalent

Prohibitions

CHI2430, CHI4439, CHI4340